Integrity. It’s not a word we use all that often when describing someone, and when we do it’s often associated with someone who is “good,” whatever our definition of “good” might be. So what does it really mean to be in Integrity?
For me it means just to simply live my truth. Not just to tell my truth, but to live my truth. When we look around at everything that we think is wrong with this country, this society, and this world, it is easy to find fault and to preach what others “should” do, think, feel, or how they should act.
But how willing are we to practice what we preach?
When our thoughts, beliefs, and behavior are all in alignment, then we are living our truth, and the natural outcome will be a sense of integrity. Not pride or superiority, but a deep sense of “good enough” that is grounded in humility and serenity.
In order to reach this place we have to take an honest look inside and find the places that are not in integrity, and don’t want to change.
- Am I steeped in judgment of another, and unwilling to look at how that character trait lives in me?
- Can I honestly acknowledge to myself and another when I have caused someone pain?
- Am I willing to examine my lifestyle choices, and make changes to habits and behaviors that are opposed to values I hold dear?
- If I strive to live a spiritual life, am I willing to face the ways in which I choose separation over surrender to the will of God?
The Pathwork challenges us to take responsibility for our lives, and when we do, even if we haven’t achieved anything near 100% alignment with Truth, our willingness and intention to examine the places that are in distortion brings us a profound sense of integrity.
As the Guide says, there is no cheating life.
Yet we find that we can be imperfect, a work in progress, full of character defects, and still live with integrity. That may sound paradoxical until we begin to live it.
Integrity isn’t a reward for good behavior. It isn’t reserved for the most accomplished, holy, perfectly good few. It’s a natural byproduct of our willingness to be honest about who we are today. It’s the result of our commitment to face whatever part of us is not in integrity. And it’s a wonderful yardstick for just how effectively we are navigating our spiritual path.
I’m certainly not there all the time. But I have learned that when I find myself outside the boundaries of my integrity, it’s not comfortable. I cannot lie to myself or others and feel good about it. I cannot believe something and act contrary to that belief and not experience internal conflict. So it’s a price I want to be willing to pay.
It may not be easy to face the truth of my negativity, but I always suffer more from my attempts to avoid discomfort than from actually facing it head on.
What does integrity mean to you? Have you experienced a sense of living in integrity that includes flaws, character defects, and imperfections? I’d love to hear your thoughts about that in the comments below.
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Integrity means to me to have my thoughts, words and actions aligned with my true or higher self. I look to see how that alignment is consistent with my values and not influenced by my ego, images or false self. Meditation helps me as that feeling of disharmony usually points out where I did not think, say or act in a way that is consistent with my values or that I need to reexamine my beliefs – a new lesson learned or relearned!
Thanks for sharing this.
Beautiful, thank you Bob! And always good to hear from you. Hope you are well.